Sweet and sour cucumber and mint relish recipe

This refreshing change from mint sauce is perfect with lamb

This is not a “wet” relish – there is just enough vinegar to coat the cucumber – but it’s a great alternative to apple and mint jelly. Try it with barbecued butterflied leg of lamb, alongside some Greek yogurt mixed with crushed garlic. Summer Sunday lunch reborn.

METHOD Trim the ends off the cucumber and, using a mandolin or a food processor’s slicing blade, finely slice the rest – the slices should be almost transparent. Layer in a colander with the salt, place a plate on top and set over a bowl for two hours. Rinse the cucumber well and carefully pat dry with a clean tea towel, squeezing slightly.

Mix the rice vinegar with the sugar, stirring vigorously so that the sugar dissolves. Add this and the mint to the cucumber and serve immediately (or the mint becomes discoloured).